Rosa POV.
Ok Rosa, you can do this. It has only been five years since you were last around people. You can do this. I keep chanting to myself the closer we get to town.
Mom and dad left us with instructions for me to behave and to Charlie, well, they told him good luck and then left. So now I’m stuck with him in a car and I keep repeating the same thing over and over, hoping it will help.
I can do this, I can do this, I can … I can’t do this, I’m not ready. My breathing comes out hard and fast as I look out of the window of the car at the faces of curious people. Not just wolves, but humans, too.
“Charlie, stop the car, please.” He looks at me, but I’m ready to flee.
“Rosa, are you o …”
“STOP THE FUCKING CAR!” I shout as I am in the throes of having a huge panic attack. This is not good, not safe. No one is safe if I stay here. Hand’s grip my face as my heart is trying to break out of my chest with pain like a heart attack. I begin to feel lightheaded.
“Breathe, Rosy. Come on, in and out.” I grip his wrists. I’m trembling as I take a shaky breath in and slowly exhale it out. I repeat this until I loosen my grip on his wrists. Rosy? He hasn’t called me that since we were kids. Only Sassa and Skoll call me that, and they are the only ones who are allowed to call me that.
“It will be ok Rosy. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” I sniffle at his words, or maybe it is because I can feel Cece and Jadara in the deepest part of my mind, beginning to stare.
“Please don’t call me Rosy.” I say sadly as I reach for the damn collar. Running my fingers against the cold black smooth stone that is entwined with silver. My fingers heat as they run over the silver.
This collar isn’t going to hold them off. They are too damn strong and it just shows you how weak I actually am. But it explains a lot I am not alpha born. I don’t even know what rank my birth parents were. But I should be grateful that my mom Gaia found me on the streets when she did after I ran into her and she and dad Gabe adopted me. She also killed the headmistress of the orphanage and got all the others in there adopted, too.
“The collar isn’t working. I can feel them in my head. Please Charlie, let me end it. I can’t live with myself knowing they have taken control when I have been asleep.” I say as the first tear falls.
“Shhh, it will be ok Rosa. I will not let you do anything like that. I am here to help you. Or did you forget I did have half of Jadara’s soul combined with me?” he says, and I want nothing more than to hit him. It is his fault for how she turned out.
“It doesn’t matter. She is too strong. Cece is the same.” I say as I move my head away from his hands. Wiping my eyes as I look out of the window once more, seeing we have arrived outside a house.
“Where are we?” I ask, and he chuckles. I turn to look at him, all too reluctantly.
“This is the site that used to be the orphanage. All these houses were built for the children who were brought to that awful place.” I look back out and see the little houses, with the picket fences and I chuckle shaking my head.
“I didn’t know she had these built. I was always too occupied with Odessa’s lessons or looking after Sassa and Skoll. How I miss them. They would be nearly eighteen now.” I say, and he smiles at me.
“You will see them again. Shall we go inside?” he asks and I gulp, looking at the empty street and nod my head slowly. I try to open the door but he had locked it when he strapped me into my seat. Apparently, I’m a major flight risk. I can’t argue with that.
“Rosa. I am sorry for what I did to you five years ago. I hope in time we can be friends again. I know what I did and I can see you are not the same anymore. I want to make this right. So please, we need to do this together.” He says, but I don’t even look at him, instead I look down at my holey jeans and torn top.
I was once so strong and determined to be the best I could be to be able to offer the world my gifts being the oracle. But now I am weak and pathetic. I stayed away, afraid of what she will do. When she used Cece to try to attack the settlement, I was still strong enough to stop them. But the longer I have stayed away from people and lived alone, the weaker I have become. I mockingly chuckle to myself. So much for doing what I thought was right. They took over anyway.
“Please, just get me inside and chained up.” I say as the door is engaged and I open it and take a few breaths before I step outside. My legs feel weak standing looking at the house that will be home for the foreseeable future, well until we get them both under control, that is.
“Not going to happen.” I hear her voice faintly in my head as Charlie comes to me and leads me through the garden gate and up along the path to the front door. I look around, scanning the area, and no one is around.
“Rosa? Come on, you will be safe in here.” He says as he stands next to the open door, and I step over the threshold and into the hallway.
“Where will I be staying?” I ask him, looking down.
“You have your own bedroom. It is next door to mine.” I nod my head and bite my bottom lip as I look up slowly and look around.
I move forward and I become confused. There are no pictures of his family or toys for a child. Why?
“Erm Charlie, I erm. I suppose you need to get to water soon, right?” I ask him and he sighs, looking at me. He takes a step forward and I step back and he keeps coming towards me until my back hits the hall and he looks down at me, sadness swimming in his silver-violet eyes.
“No, there is a saltwater pool in the back garden. If I need to swim, I can swim there. But that is not what you meant, right?” he asks and I look away, knowing he is referring to his chosen mate and child.
“I don’t want to be a burden on you. I’m sorry you had to get involved in all of this, Charlie. I will do what I can to keep them both under control. But I need to be restrained now. They are trying to break free.” I say to him I’m not lying, but I am not telling the whole truth.
“You won’t be restrained apart from the collar. Jadara will be subdued with a liquid obsidian daily. As for Cece, we need you to reform that bond with her without Jadara. I saw how you pulled Cece back, and I know she is a powerful wolf. All three of you have disconnected. If you can reconnect with Cece, then the two of you are then strong enough to control Jadara.” He says, and I nod my head.
Only problem is I have been away from both of them for such a long time it will take a long time to bring Cece back to me. The real Cece, not the monster she has become.
Charlie POV.I watch as she walks away from me and looks around the house. We will both be staying in until she has both Cece and Jadara under control. It pains me to see the life has left her pretty jade green eyes, and she is more that ready to give up. But I won’t let her.Rosy, I mean Rosa, was always so fun to be around and now she looks defeated and scared of her own shadow. I will do everything in my power to help her regain control. Even if it kills me.“Charlie.” I look up at her and her eyes glisten with the tears she is trying to keep at bay.“Yes, Rosa. What is it?” I ask her as I move slowly towards her, but keeping a respectful distance from her, not wanting to spook her anymore than she already is.“I don’t have any clothes and I’m kind of hungry.” She says shyly and I smile softly as I move past her and take her hand and she jumps slightly. I remove my hand, realising she has had no human contact in five years and has been completely alone. I don’t want to push her too
Rosa POV.I stand in the open doorway in to what is now my bedroom. I fidget with my fingers and bite the inside of my bottom lip. This is going to be ok. I step into the room and debate with myself if I should close the door or keep it open.If I keep it open, I can pretend I am back in the cave. If I close it, I can let myself believe that I am normal. I scoff at that. Normal! Ha, there is nothing normal about any of this, or me, for that matter. I chose to keep the door open.I look at the bed and reach my hand out, but pull it back as I blink and shake my head. This won’t last long, so I won’t get too comfortable. I sigh and move to the chaise and take the blanket that was on the back of it. I set it on the plush cream coloured carpet and lay down facing the open door. I place my hands under my head and bring my knees to my chest.This is only temporary until I can figure something else out. I move to sit and tug the hood of the bathrobe up and tighten the sash and lay back down.
Rosa POV.I sit on the windowseat looking out over the back garden. What am I supposed to be doing? Charlie gave me another shot of liquid obsidian, and I still can’t feel anything.“I need to take this damn collar off.” With that, I pout as I stand up and move to the bathroom. I have now decided it would be best if I could try to sort this out before resorting to ending my life.So if it means trying to get Cece out and reconnecting with her, then so be it. As for the murderous psychotic oracle, she can stay in a damn coma for all I care. When I’m strong enough, I will try to engage her. Maybe I can I show her the world again from that of love.I scoff to myself. Yeah right. I don’t even love myself at the moment, so how am I to show her?I look in the mirror and move closer. I tilt my head to get a better look at the collar. I reach up and spin it around, looking for a lock or a clasp. But there is nothing. How the hell did they get it on?I sigh and drop my head, shaking it as I ch
Rosa POV.“Rosa, is she ok?” Odessa’s voice pulls me back as Cece whines in her sleep.“She is exhausted and seems to be in pain.” I say as I watch Cece in my head.“That is to be expected. She has spent the last five years separated from you. It would seem she was only able to shift under Jadara’s command. The barrier that not only you placed but that of what Jadara placed will have taken a lot of energy for her to break through. She will be ok in time. The important thing here is she is now back with you. Let her rest.” She says, and I give one last look at my sleeping wolf and open my eyes.“You did good, sweetie. She will be ok and so will you. Give her time.” Dragus says and I nod my head, feeling a headache form. It is strange to know I have her back, but I didn’t know the damage I was inflicting by keeping her out. The damage that not only I have endured, but she has too.Cece has endured more being stuck with that psycho bitch and all the things she was made to do for her. Thi
Charlie POV.“Odessa has just told her about the fae side of Jadara. Why didn’t you tell her when you found her again or, better yet, tell her when you knew all along?” Dragus asks me as we sit at the kitchen island having a drink.“Why didn’t you? You were with her for many years and neither you nor anyone else told her. You all only told her she was part oracle. So don’t put this solely at my feet. You all had the opportunity to tell her the truth, too. Why should it be down to me?” I ask him when he growls at me and I see his dragon flash in his eyes.“You were her mate. You had a better understanding about the oracle than she did. Your people still use them more so than the rest of the world, but not so much anymore. It shouldn’t be down to us to tell her. But then again, you don’t know the horrors of what Jadara has truly done or why she was killed in the first place, and do you want to know why?” he asks as he huffs out smoke from his nostrils.“Go on.” I say with a scoff.“Beca
Rosa POV.It has been two weeks since I was brought to this new prison. Every night I have nightmares of blood and hearing Jadara’s manic laughter and the words she utters all the damn time. You belong to me!“Rosa, Rosa. Are you listening to what I have just told you?” I snap out of my thoughts and look at Charlie in a daze. Yes, he is still here. He has been helping with Odessa. The training has taken me back to basics. To harness the natural energy around me. To remain calm but also the physical training. A healthy and strong body in turns creates a healthy and strong mind.Odessa has been teaching me to rebuild the walls in my head that surround the empty part that, according to Cece, is where Jadara is currently being held. So far she is still subdued, but the liquid obsidian is not having the desired effect anymore.At times, I can feel her. The dosage is being increased and I’m worried that it will cause me permanent damage.“Hmm. What were you asking?” I look at him, and he si
Charlie POV.I watch in shock at the transformation of Jadara. I knew she was strong, but not this strong.Odessa chants something and a bubble like barrier appears around Jadara, and she looks at me with her chilling white eyes and smirks at me.“Jadara, I have called you forward, and you need to listen to what I have to say.” Jadara looks from me to Odessa and she lifts her chin higher as she regards the other oracle in front of her. She touches the barrier around her and chuckles.“You think this can hold me, Odessa? Shall we test it out?” she places both her hands on it and groans before she removes her hands. She looks at her hands in a silent question.“As I was saying. I have called upon you to give a warning. No, not a warning. A bit of good news for us, but bad news for you. So take it how you will. The gods may have given you the purpose to do what you want, but it would seem there was a slight loophole.” Jadara looks up and moves closer, but stops as she looks around.“You
Rosa POV.I tackle Jadara to the ground as Cece bites and scratches her. When we are thrown back as Jadara stands and just holds her hands up.“Cece enough!” she shouts at us, when Cece growls again and lunges at her for us to be caught and thrown to the floor.“I am not your enemy. You heard what we were talking about. Please, we need to work together. I promise you I won’t harm you anymore. I thought I was doing the right thing. So kill me if you need to, but you will end up killing yourself.” She screams at us when I go still.“Cece, give me control.” I say as I shift back and shove Jadara away from me. I stand up and look at her. Why is it I am the shortest in the damn room?“I want the truth. Now!” I growl out as I step up to her. She looks at me with a small smirk on her face.“No, I will show you.” she offers me her hand and I look at Odessa and she nods her head and I take it. I gasp as I feel the pull to her and I close my eyes and I see everything. Her meeting her mate for t